Fic: The Contest Of All Contests: Chapter One
Title: The Contest Of All Contests
Author: Jayne Leigh
Summery: Cast and Crew of studio 60 compete in a charity soccer game. How will Matt cope with being the star player, trying to impress Harriet and cope with his pill addiction
Rating: R
Characters or Pairing: Matt, Danny, Jordan Matt/Harriet
Disclaimer: I don't own them!
The Contest Of All Contests: Chapter One
Matt watched her on stage along with Simon and Tom. None of them were working; they were just fooling around, waiting for Danny to turn up. Apparently he had called a meeting for the cast and crew, but Matt had no idea why. He couldn't help smile when he saw her laugh at something Tom had said. Things were slowly getting back to normal after last week, when she turned up late at the studio to help him get through his writers' block. Later he found out from Jeannie that Harriet and Luke had broken because of a fight over him. She’d told Matt that Harriet had defended him to Luke, who didn't like it. Matt wanted to ask Harriet about it, but then he didn't want her thinking he was getting involved. Plus, they had been getting on so well since then, he didn't want to mess that up. He missed her during the time they were fighting. He just needed her to be around, whether it was romantically or not. She had made him happy again, and it also made him realise what an idiot he had been for taking those pills. He had tried to stop taking them all together, but he just couldn't, so instead he cut down on the amount he took each day. Hoping that he'd be able to ease himself off them without anyone noticing.
“Right, guys... sorry, I'm late.” Danny said as he walked in.
“What's going on?” Matt asked.
“Okay, I'll get straight to it...” Danny started looking at them all. “I’ve just spoken to Jack Rudolph and apparently the network is raising money for a charity that helps kids who live on the street...”
“What's that got to do with us?” Matt asked slowly, wondering what Danny had agreed for them to do.
“They’re doing lots of different fund-raisers, like a big Dinner... selling off personalised possessions... various NBS stars are doing appearances... that sort of thing.” Danny replied, ignoring Matt's question.
“Danny, what have you done?” Matt demanded, knowing Danny all too well.
“They want us to take part in a charity football game...” He informed them. “We'll be playing against another show on the network, they haven't said who yet though.”
“That's not to bad...” Simon claimed. “I use to play football in college.”
“Yeah, see exactly... it’ll be fine.” Danny said to Matt agreeing with Simon. “Except it's not American football... It's British football.”
“Soccer?!” Matt questioned.
“Yeah, yeah... Soccer...what's the difference.”
“Does anyone here know how to play soccer?!” Matt questioned.
There were a few no-s, not really-s and a little bit.... but no one said they did know.
“What's the big deal?” Danny asked. “It's got to be the same as American Football, right?”
“No, Danny... it's not the same.” Matt sighed. “For a start in soccer, you use your feet, not your hands...”
Danny looked at him. “What's the point in that? That just makes everything more complicated!”
“You've got to get us out of this.” Matt told him.
“Oh come on, it'll be fun...”
“No one knows how to play!
“So, we'll learn.” Danny told him. “It'll be okay... and we’ll be raising money for the charity as well.”
Matt sighed and sat back in his chair. “We're going to lose all our dignity, aren't we?”
Danny looked at him for a minute. “Don't worry about it.”
Matt rolled his eyes as Danny turned back to everyone else.
“Okay, so I need 15 volunteers to play.” He told them, glancing at Matt. “I've put you down, already.”
“What? Why me?”
“Because one of us needs to play.”
“And why aren't you?”
“Because I'm the coach.”
“Why can't I be the coach?”
“Because I'm older and smarter.” Danny replied. “You'll be fine.”
“This is just great!” He muttered, falling back against the chair again, folding his arms.
“What's the big deal?” Harriet asked. “I thought you used to play in High School.”
“Shh, shut up!” Matt tried to cut in but was too late and everyone turned to look at him.
“Aw, come on, Matt...Apparently you were pretty good.”
“Yeah, so?” He asked.
“So, if you're good...Why don't you want to play?” Danny questioned.
“Because no one else knows how to play and we'll lose.” He answered. “And that will make us all look stupid...and more importantly, it would make me look stupid.”
Danny just rolled his eyes. “Well, you're going to have to get used to it.”
“But...”
“Just think of all those kids we're trying to raise money for.” Danny stopped him from protesting.
“Fine!” Matt huffed, starting to sulk again.
TBC